Combination traffic guide and traffic-regulating signal



Mar. 6, I923. IAAZSQ T. E. HAYES COMBINATION TRAFFIC GUIDE AND TRAFFIC REGULATING SIGNAL Filed Aug. 7, 1922 Patented Mar. 1923.

` intesa' unirte stares naar THOMAS E. HAYES, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONETHIRD T0 WILLIAM .1%. CALLAHAN AND ONE-THIRD TO HUGO A. KLEINSTEUBER,

BOTH OF IINIILWA'UKIEE, WISCONSIN.

COMBINATION TRAFFIC GUIDE AND TRAFFIC-REGULATING SIGNAL.

Application led August 7, 1922. Serial No. 580,372.

To all whom t may concer/t.'

Be it known that I, THOMAS E. HAYES, a citizen of the United States',`and resident of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsins have invented certain new and useful Improvement-s in Combination Traffic Guides and Tramo-Regulating Signals; and l do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

The invention relates to a combination traffic guide and trailic regulating signal.`

lt comprises a device adapted to be located in the middle of streets at street intersections for signalling" 'top and (iro, the device being positioned close to the level of the pavement, and a guard being provided to protect the mechanismfrom the wheels of vehicles.

Itis the object of the invention to provide combined means for signalling to regulate traiiic, and means for guiding traffic at corners. With the signalling devices positioned adjacent the pavement, the drivers of vehicles do not have to look up as has hitherto been the case with control signals of the old type.. rThe signal is continuously illuminated and a single source of illumination is therefore operative for two distinct purposes, namely, for regulating the traiic and guiding it. The provision of a metallic guard prevents all danger of damage to the mechanism. "it may be used to advantage in congested places, as between tracks, as i takes up but a minimum of room.

V7 ith the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in 'the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope o'f the claims.

ln the accompanying drawing, is illus-y trated one complete example oi the physical embodiment of the present invention constructed according to the best mode so ar devised for the practical application of the principles thereof.

Figure 1 is a central vertical section of the device on the line 1-1 of .Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a plan thereof.

rectangular dished base 10 is imbedded in the pavement l1, and is provided with an upwardly extending flange 12 spaced inwardly from a peripheral band 18. Immediately adjacent band 13 and resting on base 10 at the edgethereof, is a grooved ring 14 receiving the edges of a metallic guard 15 which is rounded at its top and provided with substantially vertical sides cut away to form openings 16. The guard conforms to the rectangular shape of base 10, and is curved at the corners. The openings 16 eX- tend almost the entire width of the guard. The top of the guard is cut away to form apertures 17. A glass globe 18 is encased by the guard; it is similar in shape and spaced slightly' along its entire surface from the inner-surface of the guard. The lower edge of the globe is received in'a gasket 19 immediately adjacent ring 1li, whereby it is securely retained in position.

A. box-like member is housed within the globe positioned on base 10. It is rectangular in horizontal outline, and provided with glass windows 20 and 21, in each of four side faces. Immediately abovethe side faces is an inclined face having a window 22 therein. Means for illuminating the box are provided, pipe 23 assisting in the performance of this function, the pipe extending thru the center of the base and directed upwardly to the bottom of the box. dow 20, when illuminated, signals Stop, window 21, when illuminated, signals (iro, and window 22 signals Traffic change. The entire device is small in vertical dimension and occupies a minimum of room. Thus it may be used in congested places, as between tracks. The guard l'protects all parts from damage. The device is adapted to be located in the middle of streets at street sections, and therefore comes immediately within the range of vision oi3 the driver of the car, making it unnecessary tor him to look up to read the signal exhibited. Thus it does not interfere with the normal operation of the car andis entirely sai'e. As either the Stop or the Gro97 signal is exhibited at all times in a particular direction thru the openings 16, a guide light is at 'all times displayed indicating the point at which a turn is to be made. Thus the device periorms the twofold function of' guiding and controlling trafc. The mechanism Winwhereby the Stop and Go signals are exhibited is Well known.

Applicant does not limit himself to the specific box structure illustrated. If desired on all four faces of the box, the word Stop may be exhibit-ed above and `the Word Gro below.

I claim:

l. In a device of the class described, the combination of a. low mushroom shaped metallic guard adapted to be positioned adjacent the level of the pavement and having openings therein adjacent the level of the pavement,: and means for exhibiting thru said openings the words Stop and Go immediately adjacent to the level of the pavement.

2. In a device of the class described, a low mushroom shaped metallic guard having openings therein, a stationary housing within said guards and windows in the sides of said housing elongated to make visible thru said openings the words Stop and (o.

3. In a device of the class described, a low mushroom shape metallic gua-rd having openings therein, a glass globe within said guard, a stationary housing within said globe and windows in the sides of said housing adapted to be illuminated to exhibit the Words Stop and Go 4:. In a-device of the class described, the combination of a loW guard having four sides which are straight in plan view, each of said sides havin an elongated opening therein, said guard aving alow convex top and a means within said guard for revealing through said openings Trallic change, Stop and Go signals.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a low metallic guard having four sides which are straight in plan view, each of said sides having an elongated opening therein, a low convex roof for said guard, a glass globe Within said guard conforming to the shape of said guard and spaced slightly fromsaid guard, and means for displaying through said openings T1-af o change, Stop and Go signals.

6. The combination of a low metallic guard having four sides which are straight in plan view, each of said sides having an elongated opening therein, said guard having a low convex roof, a glass globe within said guard conforming to the shape thereof. a box-like housing Within said globe having four faces, each of said vfaces having windows on Which the words Traffic change, Stop and Go are visible.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin.

THOMAS E. HAYES. 

